U.S. patent application number 17/084168 was filed with the patent office on 2021-05-13 for loupes protection shields useful in dental applications.
The applicant listed for this patent is University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc.. Invention is credited to Nader Farhan ABDULHAMEED, Hind Sattar HUSSEIN.
Application Number | 20210137630 17/084168 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005234012 |
Filed Date | 2021-05-13 |
![](/patent/app/20210137630/US20210137630A1-20210513\US20210137630A1-2021051)
United States Patent
Application |
20210137630 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
HUSSEIN; Hind Sattar ; et
al. |
May 13, 2021 |
LOUPES PROTECTION SHIELDS USEFUL IN DENTAL APPLICATIONS
Abstract
Described herein are loupes shields. The shields can be easily
attached to the loupes. The loupes shield is composed of a single
filter that blocks harmful light. Additionally, the loupes shield
includes a connector that permits the loupes shield to be attached
to the loupes lens or housing that holds the loupes lens. The
loupes shields described are useful in applications where it is
desirable to protect the user from being exposed to damaging light.
The loupes shields are useful in dental applications such as, for
example, dental restorations, where light cure is required to cure
the resin applied to a tooth during a dental restoration.
Inventors: |
HUSSEIN; Hind Sattar;
(Lakewood Ranch, FL) ; ABDULHAMEED; Nader Farhan;
(Lakewood Ranch, FL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc. |
Gainesville |
FL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005234012 |
Appl. No.: |
17/084168 |
Filed: |
October 29, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62931993 |
Nov 7, 2019 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 2090/0454 20160201;
A61C 19/003 20130101; G02B 7/006 20130101; A61B 90/04 20160201;
A61B 2090/049 20160201 |
International
Class: |
A61B 90/00 20060101
A61B090/00; G02B 7/00 20060101 G02B007/00 |
Claims
1. A loupes shield comprising (a) a single light filter comprising
a first hinge member; and (b) a connector for securing the light
filter to the loupe, wherein the connector comprises a second hinge
member for receiving the first hinge member.
2. The loupes shield of claim 1, wherein the light filter blocks
light having a wavelength less than 560 nm.
3. The loupes shield of claim 1, wherein the light filter blocks
light having a wavelength of about 400 nm to about 560 nm.
4. The loupes shield of claim 1, wherein the light filter covers
the entire lens of the loupes or slightly greater.
5. The loupes shield of claim 1, wherein the light filter has
different shapes. The shapes vary either circular or oval or square
or rectangular or trapezoid shape.
6. The loupes shield of claim 1, wherein the light filter has
different surface may be flat or convex or convex surround by flat
surface, wherein the surrounding flat surface may vary from about
0.2 to about 2 mm.
7. The loupes shield of claim 1, wherein the light filter has a
thickness of from about 0.5 mm to about 4 mm.
8. The loupes shield of claim 1, wherein the light filter is not
secured to the connector by a filter holder.
9. The loupes shield of claim 1, wherein the connector comprises a
semicircular or circular clip.
10. The loupes shield of claim 1, wherein the light filter and
connector are the same material or different material.
11. The loupes shield of claim 1, wherein the connector comprises
different cross sections.
12. A method for blocking light during a dental procedure, the
method comprising affixing the loupes shield of claim 1 over the
loupes prior to the application of light.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 62/931,993 filed on Nov. 7, 2019, the
entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The ability to light cure resin based composites based on
the position and orientation of the curing light is an important
aspect of radiant energy delivery to dental restorations. While
many preparations provide excellent clinical access for curing
lights, there are hard-to-reach areas of the oral cavity. In some
cases, the curing light tip itself is a limiting factor in how
close the light can get to the surfaces being light cured and
whether or not it has the correct orientation. Poor orientation of
the light tip will lead to resin based composites being
inadequately light cured. Inadequate resin polymerization has been
implicated in adverse effects on the resin's physical properties,
reduction in adhesion to the tooth, a negative impact on the
biocompatibility of the resin restorations, an increase in marginal
deterioration and wear, and an increase in bacterial colonization
at the margins of the restorations.
[0003] There has been concern based upon research evidence that
high-intensity blue light from curing lights can place dental
personnel at risk for ocular damage. The most damaging wavelength
range for the retina is blue light, near 440 nm, which is the peak
wavelength from many LED curing lights. Blue light is transmitted
through the ocular media and absorbed by the retina. While high
levels of blue light cause immediate and irreversible retinal
burning, chronic exposure to low levels of blue light may cause
accelerated retinal aging and degeneration. This chronic
photochemical injury to the retinal-pigmented epithelium and
choroid can accelerate age-related macular degeneration.
[0004] What is needed is a protective shield that blocks harmful
light such as light in the blue range or UV spectrum used in curing
polymeric resins during dental restorations. The protective shield
should be easy to use with respect to take it off and on during the
dental restorations.
SUMMARY
[0005] According to one embodiment, described herein are loupes
shields. The shields can be easily attached to the loupes. The
loupes shield is composed of a single filter that blocks harmful
light. Additionally, the loupes shield includes a connector that
permits the loupes shield to be attached to the loupes lens or
housing that holds the loupes lens. The loupes shields described
are useful in applications where it is desirable to protect the
user from being exposed to damaging light. The loupes shields are
useful in dental applications such as, for example, dental
restorations, where light is required to cure resin based
composites applied to a tooth.
[0006] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general
description and the following detailed description are merely
exemplary and are intended to provide an overview or framework to
understanding the nature and character of the claims. The
accompanying drawings are included to provide a further
understanding and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this
specification. The drawings illustrate one or more embodiments, and
together with the description serve to explain principles and
operation of the various embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further
understanding and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this
specification. The drawings illustrate one or more embodiments, and
together with the description serve to explain principles and
operation of the various embodiments.
[0008] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary loupes shield described
herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0009] Additional features and advantages will be set forth in the
detailed description which follows and will be apparent to those
skilled in the art from the description or recognized by practicing
as described in the following description together with the claims
and appended drawings.
[0010] As used herein, the term "and/or," when used in a list of
two or more items, means that any one of the listed items can be
employed by itself, or any combination of two or more of the listed
items can be employed. For example, if a composition is described
as containing components A, B, and/or C, the composition can
contain A alone; B alone; C alone; A and B in combination; A and C
in combination; B and C in combination; or A, B, and C in
combination.
[0011] "Optional" or "optionally" means that the subsequently
described event or circumstance can or cannot occur, and that the
description includes instances where the event or circumstance
occurs and instances where it does not. For example, the connector
of the loupes shield described herein may optionally include
grooves on the inners surface of the connector, where the grooves
may or may not be present.
[0012] As used herein, the term "about" is used to provide
flexibility to a numerical range endpoint by providing that a given
numerical value may be "a little above" or "a little below" the
endpoint without affecting the desired result. For purposes of the
present disclosure, "about" refers to a range extending from 10%
below the numerical value to 10% above the numerical value. For
example, if the numerical value is 10, "about 10" means between 9
and 11 inclusive of the endpoints 9 and 11.
[0013] Throughout this specification, unless the context dictates
otherwise, the word "comprise," or variations such as "comprises"
or "comprising," will be understood to imply the inclusion of a
stated element, integer, step, or group of elements, integers, or
steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer, step,
or group of elements, integers, or steps.
[0014] As used herein, a plurality of items, structural elements,
compositional elements, and/or materials may be presented in a
common list for convenience. However, these lists should be
construed as though each member of the list is individually
identified as a separate and unique member. Thus, no individual
member of any such list should be construed as a de facto
equivalent of any other member of the same list based solely on its
presentation in a common group, without indications to the
contrary.
[0015] Numerical data may be expressed or presented herein in a
range format. It is to be understood that such a range format is
used merely for convenience and brevity and thus should be
interpreted flexibly to include not only the numerical values
explicitly recited as the limits of the range, but also to include
all the individual numerical values or sub-ranges encompassed
within that range as if each numerical value and sub-range was
explicitly recited. As an example, a numerical range of "about 1"
to "about 5" should be interpreted to include not only the
explicitly recited values of about 1 to about 5, but also to
include individual values and sub-ranges within the indicated
range. Thus, included in this numerical range are individual values
such as 2, 3, and 4, the sub-ranges such as from 1-3, from 2-4,
from 3-5, from about 1-about 3, from 1 to about 3, from about 1 to
3, etc., as well as 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, individually. The same
principle applies to ranges reciting only one numerical value as a
minimum or maximum. The ranges should be interpreted as including
endpoints (e.g., when a range of "from about 1 to 3" is recited,
the range includes both of the endpoints 1 and 3 as well as the
values in between). Furthermore, such an interpretation should
apply regardless of the breadth or range of the characters being
described.
[0016] Disclosed are materials and components that can be used for,
can be used in conjunction with, can be used in preparation for, or
are products of the disclosed compositions and methods. These and
other materials are disclosed herein, and it is understood that
when combinations, subsets, interactions, groups, etc. of these
materials are disclosed, that while specific reference to each
various individual combination and permutation of these compounds
may not be explicitly disclosed, each is specifically contemplated
and described herein. For example, if a light absorber is disclosed
and discussed and a number of different polymeric carriers are
discussed, each and every combination of light absorber and
polymeric carrier that is possible is specifically contemplated
unless specifically indicated to the contrary. For example, if a
class of light absorbers A, B, and C are disclosed, as well as a
class of polymeric carriers D, E, and F, and an example combination
of A+D is disclosed, then even if each is not individually recited,
each is individually and collectively contemplated. Thus, in this
example, each of the combinations A+E, A+F, B+D, B+E, B+F, C+D,
C+E, and C+F is specifically contemplated and should be considered
from disclosure of A, B, ad C; D, E, and F; and the example
combination A+D. Likewise, any subset or combination of these is
also specifically contemplated and disclosed. Thus, for example,
the sub-group of A+E, B+F, and C+E is specifically contemplated and
should be considered from disclosure of A, B, and C; D, E, and F;
and the example combination of A+D. This concept applies to all
aspects of the disclosure including, but not limited to, steps in
methods of making and using the disclosed compositions. Thus, if
there are a variety of additional steps that can be performed with
any specific embodiment or combination of embodiments of the
disclosed methods, each such composition is specifically
contemplated and should be considered disclosed.
[0017] Described herein are loupes shields useful in applications
where it is desirable to block damaging light when the user is
applying or using light. As will be discussed below, the loupes
shields described herein are useful in dental applications, where
light cure is typically applied during dental restorations. The
loupes shields described herein are designed to fit over any
loupes, which makes them universal in their use.
[0018] In one aspect, the loupes shield comprises [0019] (a) a
single light filter comprising a first hinge member and [0020] (b)
a connector for securing the light filter to the loupes, wherein
the connector comprises and second hinge member for receiving the
first hinge member.
[0021] The single light filter as referred to herein does not
include multiple layers of filters that block or absorb different
wavelengths. In one aspect, the single light filter is composed of
a single material. For example, the single light filter is composed
of a polymer and a light absorber or orange colored plastic which
is substantially attenuates light in the blue range or UV spectrum.
In another aspect, the single light filter is composed of the
material used to produce orange shields that blocks light having a
wavelength of about 400 nm to about 560 nm, or about 400 nm, about
410 nm, about 420 nm, about 430 nm, about 440 nm, about 450 nm,
about 460 nm, about 470 nm, about 480 nm, about 490 nm, about 500
nm, about 510 nm, about 520 nm, about 530 nm, about 540 nm, about
550 nm, or about 560 nm, where any value can be a lower and upper
endpoint of a range (e.g., about 420 nm to about 450 nm). In
another aspect, the single light filter is composed of an orange
filter that can suppress 99.9% of the blue or UV spectrum in order
to protect an operator's eyes.
[0022] The shape of the single light filter can vary either
circular or oval or square or rectangular or trapezoid shape. The
surface of single light filter can vary either flat or convex or
convex surround by flat surface, the surrounding flat surface may
vary from about 0.2 mm to about 2 mm, or about 0.2 mm, about 0.3
mm, about 0.4 mm, about 0.5 mm, about 0.6 mm, about 0.7 mm, about
0.8 mm, about 0.9 mm, about 1.0 mm, about 1.1 mm, about 1.2 mm,
about 1.3 mm, about 1.4 mm, about 1.5 mm, about 1.6 mm, about 1.7
mm, about 1.8 mm, about 1.9 mm, or about 2.0 mm where any value can
be a lower and upper endpoint of a range (e.g., about 0.4 mm to
about 1.8 mm). The dimension of the single light filter can vary.
In one aspect, the dimension of the single light filter is equal or
greater than the dimension of the loupes lens to ensure the entire
loupes is shielded by the single light filter. The thickness of the
single light filter can also vary. In one aspect, the single light
filter has a thickness of from about 0.5 mm to about 4 mm, or about
0.5 mm, about 1.0 mm, about 1.5 mm, about 2.0 mm, about 2.5 mm,
about 3.0 mm, about 3.5 mm, or about 4.0 mm where any value can be
a lower and upper endpoint of a range (e.g., about 1.0 mm to about
2.5 mm).
[0023] In one aspect, the single light filter is composed entirely
of a single material. For example, the single light filter can be
molded into a single piece composed of orange plastic material.
Here, the single light filter can be molded to include other
features such as the first hinge member and other optional
components. In this aspect, the single light filter does not
require the use of a separate filter holder with hinge member where
the filter is a separate component placed and held in the filter
holder. Thus, when the single light filter is a single, molded
component, it is composed of a single article, which reduces the
cost of manufacturing as well as facilitate the use of the loupes
shield.
[0024] The loupes shield described herein also includes a
connector. The connector is designed such that it can be affixed to
the loupes lens or the housing that holds the loupes lens. In one
aspect, the connector is an open-circle clip (e.g., semicircle)
composed of a flexible material or adjustable circular clip. In
this aspect, the flexible and or adjustable connector can be
positioned around the loupes lens or housing that holds the loupes
lens.
[0025] In one aspect, the connector is composed entirely of a
single material or multiple materials. For example, the connector
can be molded into a single or multiple piece composed of flexible
polymeric material or metal or rubber or combinations of them.
Here, the connector can be molded to include other features such as
the second hinge member and other optional components. In this
aspect, when the connector is a single, molded component, it is
composed of a single article, which reduces the cost of
manufacturing as well as facilitate the use of the loupes shield.
The cross section of the connector can vary either square or
rectangular or trapezoid or circular or oval shape. The thickness
of the connector can vary as well.
[0026] In certain aspects, the single light filter and connector
can be composed of the same material. For example, the single light
filter and connector can be composed of the orange shield material
as described above. In other aspects, the single light filter and
connector can be composed of different materials.
[0027] FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary design of the loupes shield
design described herein. The loupes shield 101 is composed of the
single light filter 102 and connector 103. The single light filter
and connector are connected to one another by a hinge 104, where
the single light filter 102 has a first hinge member 104a; and the
connector 103 has a second hinge member 104b for receiving the
first hinge member of the single light filter. The position of the
hinge members presents on the single light filter 102 and connector
103 can vary. As depicted in FIG. 1, the hinge members 104 of the
single light filter 102 and connector 103 are position such that
the single light filter 102 moves outward or sideward from the
connector 103. In other aspects, the hinge members 104 of the
single light filter 102 and connector 103 are positioned such the
single light filter can slide up and away or slide to the side from
the connector. In this aspect, the first 104a and second 104b hinge
member are perpendicular to the single light filter 102 and
connector 103, respectively.
[0028] In one aspect, the 104a and 104b hinge members of the single
light filter 102 and 103 connector can be designed to snap in place
and unsnapped as needed. In other aspects, the first 104a and
second 104b hinge members of the single light filter 102 and
connector 103 can be secured to one another by a screw or pin. In
certain aspect, the single light filter and connector can be
separated from one another so that each component can be cleaned as
needed.
[0029] The single light filter 102 and connector 103 as depicted in
FIG. 1 are each composed of a single or multiple molded materials.
The single light filter can include optional features. Referring to
FIG. 1, the single light filter 102 can include a tab 105 for
lifting up or slide the single light filter 102 away or to the side
from the connector 103. In this aspect, the tab 105 is composed of
the same material as the single light filter (e.g., orange plastic
material). The tap 105 can be half circle or half oval or
rectangular or rectangular with round edge or square or square
round edge or triangular shape. The tap 105 can be positioned at
any position on the perimeter of the single light filter 102.
[0030] The connector 103 as depicted in FIG. 1 is a semicircular or
circular clip, where the semicircular clip is composed of a
flexible material such that the clip can be opened and positioned
on the loupes lens or housing that holds the loupes lens or the
circular clip, can be adjustable with the dimension of the loupes
lens. The cross section of the connector can be round, square,
rectangle or trapezoid or oval shape. The connector can include
optional features. In one aspect, the inner surface 106 of the
connector 103 can include grooves or ribs for further securing the
connector to the loupe lens or housing that holds the loupes lens.
In another aspect, the inner surface 106 of the connector 103 can
include a thin rubber grip for further securing the connector to
the loupes lens or housing that holds the loupes lens.
[0031] The loupes shields described herein are designed to be
easily placed on a loupes, where the single light filter can easily
be lifted or slid away from the loupes lens. This feature of the
loupes shields described herein is important in applications where
the user must focus on a particular point where damaging light is
applied. In one aspect, the loupes shields are particularly useful
in dental applications. For example, the loupes shields are useful
in dental restorations, which involves curing resin bases
composites using light in the blue range or UV spectrum. The
effectiveness of the restoration is dependent upon the degree of
curing of the resin based composites. The loupes shields described
herein when positioned on the loupes permit the dental personnel to
look directly at the point of cure without being exposed to light
that can cause ocular damage. Ultimately, the loupes shields
described herein enhance dental restorations by improving the cured
resins based composites physical properties and adhesion to the
tooth.
ASPECTS
[0032] Aspect 1. A loupes shield comprising [0033] (a) a single
light filter comprising a first hinge member; and [0034] (b) a
connector for securing the light filter to the loupe, wherein the
connector comprises a second hinge member for receiving the first
hinge member.
[0035] Aspect 2. The loupes shield of Aspect 1, wherein the light
filter blocks light having a wavelength less than 560 nm.
[0036] Aspect 3. The loupes shield of Aspects 1 or 2, wherein the
light filter blocks light having a wavelength of about 400 nm to
about 560 nm.
[0037] Aspect 4. The loupes shield in any one of Aspects 1-3,
wherein the light filter covers the entire lens of the loupes or
slightly greater.
[0038] Aspect 5. The loupes shield in any one of Aspects 1-4,
wherein the light filter has different shapes. The shapes vary
either circular or oval or square or rectangular or trapezoid
shape.
[0039] Aspect 6. The loupes shield in any one of Aspects 1-5,
wherein the light filter has different surface may be flat or
convex or convex surround by flat surface, wherein the surrounding
flat surface may vary from 0.2-2 mm.
[0040] Aspect 7. The loupes shield in any one of Aspects 1-6,
wherein the light filter has a thickness of from about 0.5 mm to
about 4 mm.
[0041] Aspect 8. The loupes shield in any one of Aspects 1-7,
wherein the light filter is not secured to the connector by a
filter holder.
[0042] Aspect 9. The loupes shield in any one of Aspects 1-8,
wherein the connector comprises a semicircular or circular
clip.
[0043] Aspect 10. The loupes shield in any one of Aspects 1-9,
wherein the light filter and connector are the same material or
different material.
[0044] Aspect 11. The loupes shield in any one of Aspects 1-10,
wherein the connector comprises different cross sections.
[0045] Aspect 12. A method for blocking light during a dental
procedure, the method comprising affixing the loupes shield in any
one of Aspects 1-11 over the loupes prior to the application of
light.
[0046] Various modifications and variations can be made to the
materials, methods, and articles described herein. Other aspects of
the materials, methods, and articles described herein will be
apparent from consideration of the specification and practice of
the materials, methods, and articles disclosed herein. It is
intended that the specification and examples be considered as
exemplary.
* * * * *